Israel company to help crack data crimes

Forensic investigations into criminal cases is all set for a complete revamp with the Delhi government having roped in an Israeli-based company to supply universal forensic extraction devices at its forensic laboratory to retrieve crucial data from Chinese mobiles used in criminal cases.

As many as 1,000-odd cases, in which the forensic experts had not been able to retrieve data from Chinese phones, have been pending investigations with the city government’s forensic laboratory. A senior government officer said that the forensic experts had been finding it very difficult to retrieve data from Chinese phones which were directly or indirectly linked to investigation of criminal cases.

A source said that in many terror operations terrorists had exchanged data through Chinese mobiles.

“After executing terror strikes, the terrorists used to delete data from their mobile sets. Our investigating agencies were finding it difficult to retrieve deleted data from the Chinese phones.”

While the Delhi police investigating these cases reports to the Centre, the forensic laboratory and the prosecution wing are under the direct control of the AAP government. On an average about 40 to 50 cases, in which Chinese phones had been used for uploading and transferring of data, were sent for forensic examination every month.

It is learnt that the government has now given its go-ahead to procure three universal forensic extraction devices from an Israel-based company to retrieve data from Chinese phones used in different cases. Called Cell Brite, the company has priced each of its devise worth about Rs 8 lakh. Besides the three new devices, the government has already procured one in the past.

Among the Chinese companies whose cell phones are being used in India are Xiaomi, Huawei, Meizu, Coolpad, Oppo, Vivo and Gionee. What makes the phones of these companies different from others is that if one deletes data from them, it is next to impossible to retrieve it again.